Orlando's Top Dentists of 2014

Our annual list featuring more than 200 of the area’s finest dental professionals.

The dentists on Orlando magazine’s 2014 Top Dentists list were chosen among the finest in the area by their local peers. topDentists, LLC, a national evaluation firm, conducted an extensive survey, asking local dentists, “If you had a patient in need of a dentist, to whom would you refer him or her?” Dentists and specialists were asked to take into consideration years of experience, continuing education, manner with patients, use of new techniques and technologies, and physical results. Our 2014 list features more than 200 dentists in 7 specialty areas. Of course, there are many fine dentists who are not included in this representative list. It is intended as a sampling of the great body of talent in the field of dentistry. A dentist’s inclusion on the list is based on the subjective judgments of his or her fellow dentists. The dentists are named alphabetically, by specialty. topDentists and Orlando magazine have made every effort to ensure the list is accurate.

Can one brush his or her teeth too hard or too long?

In a word… yes.

Our goal as dentists is to instruct our patients in how to brush and floss their teeth in order to maintain a healthy oral environment. However, too much of a good thing can cause excessive wear and tear on our teeth and gums, resulting in gum recession, sensitivity and other problems.

We recommend only soft or extra soft bristle brushes and fluoride toothpastes with mild abrasives. The newer generation of electric toothbrushes are clinically proven to remove more plaque when used correctly. However, vigorous brushing with a manual or electric toothbrush can still cause damage. Flossing aggressively can also cause lacerations to the gum tissues resulting in gingival recession.

So, what can you do to avoid excessive wear and sensitivity? Brush your teeth 2 to 3 times a day, but be mindful of your technique. Brushing back and forth will cause wear near the gumline. Use small circular strokes and sweep away from the gums. One good flossing before bed should be sufficient to keep your tissues happy and plaque-free. Most importantly, use a mild toothpaste. Lastly, ask your dentist and hygienist if they notice any signs of excessive wear and what they can recommend to prevent further breakdown.

I’ve heard the term “Smile in a Day’’ with regard to dental procedures. What does it mean?

Dentistry has advanced drastically over the last few years making it possible for many procedures to be completed in only one day. This is why “Smile in a Day” has become a popular term to describe the many options patients have if they are unhappy with their appearance. The technology in our office allows us to perform these procedures in a single day.

Some patients are plagued with discolored, chipped or misaligned teeth. Porcelain veneers or crowns can be placed in one day using CEREC technology. CEREC can also be used to replace a missing tooth with a fixed bridge. This process previously took weeks to complete.

Whitening, bonding and replacing silver fillings with natural tooth-colored fillings can also be a single appointment smile makeover.

Another term a patient may recognize is the “All-on-Four” dental implant technique. This is an ideal solution for those who have lost, or are about to lose, all of their upper and/or lower teeth. Today, this procedure allows a patient to come as close as possible to having a new set of fixed permanent teeth. Taking advantage of the latest dental innovations, in addition to minimal planning, will create a beautiful “Smile in a Day.”

How is a dental implant used to replace a missing tooth?

The earliest attempts at dental implants for tooth replacement actually date back to the Mayan civilization around 600 A.D. Archeologists have recovered skulls in which teeth were replaced by materials ranging from carved stones, such as jade, to fragments of seashells. Some of these early implants actually fused to the jawbone.

The modern dental implant is nothing more than a titanium screw that is placed directly into the bone where a tooth is missing. A replacement tooth is then attached to it. Titanium screws have been used in other parts of the body for decades, but it wasn’t until the early 1960s that dental professionals began to use this same technology for tooth replacement.

At first, the implants were rudimentary and only used in cases that involved complete rehabilitation. But with the advent of more complex surgeries, bone replacement procedures and a better understanding of how the masticatory system works, we have taken giant leaps with dental implants. Whereas root canals, fixed bridges, removable partial dentures and full dentures were once the only available options to repair damage, dental implants have become second nature in restoring complex and simple cases. Not only one but multiple teeth can be replaced. Esthetics is achieved to a level that we could only dream of 10 years ago.

Is oral sedation safe, and how does it work?

Oral sedation is safe for most people. A thorough medical history review will determine which patients are good candidates. Oral sedation works by slowing down the action of the central nervous system.

People remain aware of their surroundings, but are less responsive to external stimuli, like the sound of the drill or the smell of materials. This also reduces their sense of pain. One of the medications often used has amnesic properties, so patients may not remember details of their visit and often lose their perception of time. This works exceptionally well for long procedures because patients feel as if they have only been in the office for a short while.

Patients take a pill the night before their appointment to help them relax and get a good night’s rest. They take a different medication the morning of the appointment, one hour prior to their treatment time. Nitrous oxide is often used in combination with these medications to enhance the patient’s relaxation during their visit. A driver is required to escort patients to and from the office.

Oral sedation is used successfully both for patients who have anxiety issues and those who wish to completely relax during longer procedures.
Is oral sedation safe, and how does it work?

Is it ever too late to get braces? Do adults generally have to wear braces longer than children?

Both children and adults can benefit from orthodontic treatment. There is an increasing trend to improve the look and function of teeth—at any age. About a quarter of the orthodontic patients in the U.S. are adults. You may not realize how common adult treatment has become because of the advancements in treatment options, such as clear brackets instead of the traditional metal, which makes treatment less noticeable. Additionally, many of our patients enjoy using Invisalign, a type of clear aligners.

Adults may fear that their treatment may last longer than a child’s, but often that isn’t the case. An orthodontist is a dentist who attended an additional 2 years of school to study tooth movement, so orthodontists understand the safest ways to move teeth to achieve a beautiful smile. While we all wish for the fastest treatment, an orthodontist works with the goal of maintaining the health of your gums, teeth and their roots. Depending on the treatment method selected and patient compliance, the average treatment time is 1 ½ to 2 ½ years.

This list is excerpted from the 2014 topDentists™ list, which includes listings for more than 200 dentists and specialists in the Orlando metropolitan area. For more information call 706-364-0853; write P.O. Box 970, Augusta, GA 30903; email info@usatopdentists.com or visit www.usatopdentists.com. topDentists has used its best efforts in assembling material for this list but does not warrant that the information contained herein is complete or accurate, and does not assume, and hereby disclaims, any liability to any person for any loss or damage caused by errors or omissions herein whether such errors or omissions result from negligence, accident, or any other cause. Copyright 2010-2014 by topDentists, LLC, Augusta, GA. All rights reserved. This list, or parts thereof, must not be reproduced in any form without permission. No commercial use of the information in this list may be made without permission of topDentists, LLC. No fees may be charged, directly or indirectly, for the use of the information in this list without permission.

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